Manchester United Premier League fixtures claim made despite Arsenal fans' fury
The 2025-26 Premier League season were revealed on Wednesday and Gunners supporters have responded to their bruising first few fixtures of the campaign despite them not having the hardest start
Manchester United have been handed the hardest first five games of the season, according to stats boffins - despite Arsenal fans bemoaning their “crazy” opening run. The fixtures for the 2025-26 Premier League season were revealed on Wednesday - and there are some tricky schedules for some of the division's big hitters.
Mikel Arteta’s side open their campaign with a trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United on August 17. That game will be live on Sky Sports.
Newly-promoted Leeds United represent Arsenal’s first home opponents of the season. Arsenal then face what is arguably their most difficult fixture the following weekend as they travel to Anfield to take on reigning champions Liverpool.
Their run does not get any easier as they welcome Nottingham Forest to North London in mid-September - the Midlands side having challenged for a Champions League place last season.
Arsenal then face their former title rivals Manchester City at the Emirates before a trip to St James’ Park to take on Newcastle United. Arteta will certainly be hoping that his side can come out of those six fixtures unscathed as he attempts to finally end the club’s long wait for the title.
READ MORE: Premier League fixtures: 2025-26 games released as Liverpool begin on Friday night before Man Utd vs ArsenalREAD MORE: Sky Sports confirms major Premier League changes ahead of last day of seasonBut it’s actually United who statistically have the hardest run, according to Opta. They host the Gunners on the opening day before clashes with Fulham and Burnley.
A trip to rivals Manchester City follows ahead of a showdown with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Opta have given United's run a difficulty rating of 94.6, while Arsenal’s opening fixtures sit marginally lower at exactly 94.
But some Arsenal fans aren’t too convinced, with some even claiming that a title challenge could be over before it’s even begun. One fan said: “Starting the season with Man U, Leeds, Liverpool, Forest and City is really crazy..”
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Another responded: “Someone at the Premier League wanted to see Arsenal cooked from the jump! This is such a tough start. Well, if you want to be champions… Mountains must be climbed, no matter how soon you face them.”
A final fan added: “Such a testing start for Arsenal. Manchester United (a), Leeds (h), Liverpool (a), Forest (h), Manchester City (h), Newcastle (a), West Ham (h). If Mikel Arteta’s side can start well then it’s game on. If not they could be out of the title mix come October’s international break…”
Meanwhile, some fans have issued a demand to Arsenal boss Arteta to get a move on in the transfer market given the Gunners’ tough start. One supporter said: “Mad start to the season for Arsenal, makes it even more important to get deals done ASAP.”
A further fan replied: “I beg of you for only one thing please have every single of transfer business done before the start of this new season, that schedule is looking insane new striker leading the line please sesko or gyorokes get it done maybe even both now seeing that run in.”
A final fan added: “That’s a serious start. Arsenal better buck up their ideas in this transfer window and act fast, man.”
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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.